Search engine for sensors

ABSTRACT

Various implementations disclosed herein provide a search engine that receives a search request from a sensor gateway, and provides search results in return. In various implementations, the search request includes a first set of measurements captured by a first sensor, a first measurement from the first set of measurements is outside a defined range. In various implementations, the search engine determines a first feature vector based on the first set of measurements, and identifies a second feature vector that indicates a second set of measurements within a degree of similarity to the first set of measurements. In some implementations, the second set of measurements are captured by a second sensor. In various implementations, the search engine determines a search result based on the second feature vector, and transmits the search result. In some implementations, the search result indicates one or more instructions executable by the first sensor.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to search engines, and inparticular, to a search engine for sensors.

BACKGROUND

Search engines facilitate the dissemination of information. Previouslyavailable search engines provide a graphical user interface (GUI) to auser in order to receive a search query from the user. Most searchengines display the GUI via a website. Typically, users use a webbrowser to navigate to the website, and enter their search query in asearch box that is displayed on the website. Some search engines displaythe GUI through an application that is installed on a computing device.For example, the operators of some previously available search enginesprovide a search application that the user can download from anapplication store. Once the search application is downloaded andinstalled at a computing device, a user enters a search query in asearch box displayed by the application.

Upon receiving a search query, previously available search enginesprovide search results that are typically relevant to the search query.Typically, the search results include links to various web sites. If auser selects one of the links, then a website corresponding to the linkis launched and displayed. Some previously available search enginesprovide links for various applications. If a user selects a link for anapplication, then the corresponding application is launched. If theapplication is not installed, then some previously available searchengines direct the user to the application store where the applicationis available for download.

In order to provide the search results, some previously available searchengines crawl and scrape numerous web sites in advance. Most previouslyavailable search engines utilize scrapers that rely on metatags toextract relevant information from a web page. The search enginestypically store the scraped content in a database, and later utilize thedatabase to generate the search results. Some previously availablesearch engines also store the search queries that they receive. Whilemany users find such previously available search engines to be useful,it is difficult for most sensors to utilize such search engines. Hence,many sensors do not benefit from previously available search engines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the present disclosure can be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art, a more detailed description may be had by reference toaspects of some illustrative implementations, some of which are shown inthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a search engine environment inaccordance with some implementations.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a search engine in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representation of a method of providing searchresults to a sensor gateway in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representation of a method of requesting searchresults from a search engine in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart representation of a method of updating a datastore based on feedback data in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart representation of another method of updating thedata store based on feedback data in accordance with someimplementations.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a server system enabled with variousmodules of a search engine in accordance with some implementations.

In accordance with common practice the various features illustrated inthe drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions ofthe various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all of the componentsof a given system, method or device. Finally, like reference numeralsmay be used to denote like features throughout the specification andfigures.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Numerous details are described in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the example implementations shown in the drawings.However, the drawings merely show some example aspects of the presentdisclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting. Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other effective aspectsand/or variants do not include all of the specific details describedherein. Moreover, well-known systems, methods, components, devices andcircuits have not been described in exhaustive detail so as not toobscure more pertinent aspects of the example implementations describedherein.

Overview

Various implementations disclosed herein enable providing search resultsto a sensor gateway in response to receiving a search query from thesensor gateway. For example, in various implementations, a method ofdetermining a search result is performed by a search engine that isconfigured to provide search results in response to receiving searchrequests. In various implementations, the search engine includes one ormore processors. In various implementations, the method includesreceiving a search request from a sensor gateway. In someimplementations, the search request includes a first set of measurementscaptured by a first sensor. In some implementations, a first measurementfrom the first set of measurements is outside a defined range. Invarious implementations, the method includes determining a first featurevector based on the first set of measurements. In variousimplementations, the method includes identifying a second feature vectorthat indicates a second set of measurements within a degree ofsimilarity to the first set of measurements. In some implementations,the second set of measurements are captured by a second sensor. Invarious implementations, the method includes determining a search resultbased on the second feature vector. In some implementations, the searchresult indicates one or more instructions executable by the firstsensor. In various implementations, the method includes transmitting thesearch result to the sensor gateway.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a search engine environment 100 inaccordance with some implementations. While pertinent features areshown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from thepresent disclosure that various other features have not been illustratedfor the sake of brevity and so as not to obscure more pertinent aspectsof the example implementations disclosed herein. To that end, as anon-limiting example, the search engine environment 100 includes apublic/external network 104 (e.g., a portion of the Internet), one ormore sensors 106, a sensor gateway 120, a user device 190 and a searchengine 200.

In various implementations, the sensors 106 include devices that detectevents or changes in their environment, and output sensor measurements112. The sensors 106 include a variety of sensors. For example, in someimplementations, the sensors 106 include an ambient temperature sensor106-1, a motion sensor 106-2, a door/window sensor 106-3, an ambientlight sensor 106-4, an occupancy sensor 106-5, an appliance statussensor 106-6, an activity sensor 106-7, a heart rate sensor 106-8, etc.In some implementations, the sensors 106 are part of another system, anappliance, or a device. For example, in some implementations, theambient temperature sensor 106-1 is part of a climate control system150. In some implementations, the motion sensor 106-2 and thedoor/window sensor 106-3 are part of a home security system 152. In someimplementations, the ambient light sensor 106-4 and the occupancy sensor106-5 are part of a lighting control system 154. In someimplementations, the appliance status sensor 106-6 is part of anelectrical appliance 156. In some implementations, the activity sensor106-7 and the heart rate sensor 106-8 are part of a wearable computingdevice 158.

In various implementations, the sensor measurements 112 include datathat is captured by the sensors 106. In some implementations, the sensormeasurements 112 include numeric values. For example, a sensormeasurement 112 captured by the ambient temperature sensor 106-1includes a numeric value that indicates an ambient temperature (e.g.,67° F.). Similarly, a sensor measurement 112 captured by the heart ratesensor 106-8 includes a numeric value that indicates a heart rate (e.g.,72 bpm). In some implementations, the sensor measurements 112 includetext strings. For example, in some implementations, a sensor measurement112 captured by the appliance status sensor 106-6 includes a text stringthat indicates whether the electrical appliance 156 is “ON” or “OFF”. Insome implementations, the sensor measurements 112 include images,videos, and/or audio. For example, in some implementations, the sensors106 include a camera (e.g., as part of the home security system 152)that captures images, videos, and/or audio.

In various implementations, the sensors 106 send (e.g., transmit) thesensor measurements 112 to the sensor gateway 120. In someimplementations, the sensors 106 send the sensor measurements 112 to thesensor gateway 120 via short-range wireless communications (e.g., Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, etc.). In some implementations, the sensors 106send the sensor measurements 112 to the sensor gateway 120 via wiredcommunications (e.g., Ethernet, USB, etc.). In some implementations, thesensors 106 send the sensor measurements 112 to the sensor gateway 120upon (e.g., immediately upon) capturing the sensor measurements 112.Alternatively, in some implementations, the sensors 106 send the sensormeasurements 112 to the sensor gateway 120 periodically (e.g., every 24hours, every 7 days, etc.).

In various implementations, the sensors 106 send the sensor measurements112 to the sensor gateway 120 when the sensor measurements 112 areanomalous. In some implementations, a sensor measurement 112 isanomalous, if the sensor measurement 112 is outside a define range 114.For example, in some implementations, a sensor 106 sends a sensormeasurement 112 to the sensor gateway 120, if (e.g., only if) the sensormeasurement 112 is outside the defined range 114. In suchimplementations, the sensor 106 determines whether the sensormeasurement 112 is within the defined range 114, and sends the sensormeasurement 112 to the sensor gateway 120 upon determining that thesensor measurement 112 is outside the defined range 114. In someimplementations, each sensor 106 stores a defined range 114. Forexample, the ambient temperature sensor 106-1 stores a defined range 114that includes a range of temperatures. Similarly, in someimplementations, the heart rate sensor 106-8 stores a defined range 114that includes a range of heart rates. In some implementations, a sensor106 receives its corresponding defined range 114 from the user device190 and/or the search engine 200. In some implementations, a sensor 106stores a default range of values that represent the defined range 114.In some implementations, the defined range 114 is configurable, forexample, based on data received from the search engine 200 and/or theuser device 190.

In various implementations, the sensor gateway 120 sends a searchrequest 150 to the search engine 200. The search request 150 includesthe sensor measurements 112 that the sensor gateway 120 receives fromthe sensors 106. In some implementations, the sensor gateway 120instantiates a data container (e.g., a JSON object) that represents thesearch request 150. In such implementations, the sensor gateway 120writes the sensor measurements 112 to the data container, and transmitsthe data container to the search engine 200. In the example of FIG. 1,the sensor gateway 120 is shown as being separate from the sensors 106.However, in some implementations, the sensor gateway 120 is part of thesensors 106. For example, in some implementations, a sensor 106 sendsthe search request 150 directly to the search engine 200.

In some implementations, the search request 150 includes a featurevector 110. In various implementations, the feature vector 110 is avector of numerical features. In some implementations, the featurevector 110 includes a set of sensor measurements 112 as its features. Insome implementations, the feature vector 110 includes any contextualinformation that is useful to the search engine 200 in determining thesearch results 250. In some implementations, the sensors 106 and/or thesensor gateway 120 convert a set of sensor measurements 112 into thefeature vector 110. In some implementations, the search request 150includes the feature vector 110 instead of the sensor measurements 112.Alternatively, in some implementations, the search request 150 includesthe feature vector 110 in addition to the sensor measurements 112.

In various implementations, the search engine 200 receives the searchrequest 150, and provides search results 250 in response to receivingthe search request 150. In some implementations, the search results 250include executable instructions 230 for a sensor 106. As described inrelation to FIG. 2, in some implementations, the executable instructions230 include operations for the sensor 106 to perform. In other words, insome implementations, the executable instructions 230 include actionsthat a sensor 106 can perform. For example, in some implementations, theexecutable instructions 230 instruct the sensor 106 to continueoperating (e.g., when the search engine 200 determines that the sensormeasurement 112 is not anomalous). In some implementations, theexecutable instructions 230 instruct the sensor 106 to reboot or toshutdown (e.g., when the search engine 200 determines that the sensormeasurement 112 is anomalous). In some implementations, the executableinstructions 230 instruct the sensor 106 to modify the defined range 114to incorporate the sensor measurement 112 that the sensor 106 identifiedas anomalous. In various implementations, the search engine 200 includesone or more search servers 202 that process the search request 150 andsynthesize the search results 250.

In various implementations, the user device 190 enables a user (e.g., ahuman operator) to access the search engine 200. In someimplementations, the user device 190 displays a graphical user interface(GUI) for accessing the search engine 200. The user device 190 generallyinclude any suitable computing device, such as a computer, a laptopcomputer, a tablet device, a netbook, an internet kiosk, a personaldigital assistant, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a wearable, a gamingdevice, a computer server, etc. In some implementations, the user device190 includes one or more processors, one or more types of memory, adisplay and/or other user interface components such as a keyboard, atouch screen display, a mouse, a track-pad, a digital camera and/or anynumber of supplemental devices to add functionality. In someimplementations, the user device 190 includes a suitable combination ofhardware, software and firmware configured to provide at least some ofprotocol processing, modulation, demodulation, data buffering, powercontrol, routing, switching, clock recovery, amplification, decoding,and error control.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the search engine 200 in accordance withsome implementations. In various implementations, the search engine 200includes a feature vector data store 206 (data store 206, hereinafter),a search module 240, and a feedback module 242. In variousimplementations, the search engine 200 includes one or more data storagedevices that store the data store 206, and computer readableinstructions corresponding with the search module 240 and the feedbackmodule 242. In various implementations, the search engine 200 includesone or more computing devices that execute the computer readableinstructions corresponding with the search module 240 and the feedbackmodule 242.

In operation, in various implementations, the search module 240 utilizesthe data store 206 to determine the search results 250 in response toreceiving the search request 150. In some implementations, the feedbackmodule 242 sends a feedback request 244, and receives feedback data 246in response to sending the feedback request 244. In someimplementations, the feedback module 242 utilizes the feedback data 246to update the data store 206. In some implementations, updating the datastore 206 based on the feedback data 246 tends to improve the relevanceof the search results 250.

In various implementations, the data store 206 stores feature vectorrecords 208 (records 208, hereinafter) that correspond with respectivefeature vectors 210. In some implementations, each record 208 stores itscorresponding feature vector 210, metadata 220, and one or moreexecutable instructions 230. As used herein, in various implementations,a feature vector 210 is a vector of numerical features. In someimplementations, each feature vector 210 includes a set of sensormeasurements 212 as its features. In some implementations, the sensormeasurements 212 in a feature vector 210 represent data that waspreviously captured by one or more sensors.

In various implementations, the metadata 220 indicates the context thatresulted in the sensor measurements 212. In other words, in someimplementations, the metadata 220 indicates an event that resulted inthe sensor measurements 212. To that end, in some implementations, themetadata 220 includes a natural language string 222, a prior eventdescription 224, and/or a correlated event description 226. In someimplementations, the natural language string 222 includes a text stringthat a human operator provided when the sensor measurements 212 werecaptured. In some implementations, the prior event description 224describes an event that is associated with the sensor measurements 212.For example, in some implementations, the prior event description 224describes an event that caused the sensor measurements 212. In someimplementations, the correlated event description 226 indicates an eventthat is correlated with the sensor measurements 212.

In various implementations, the executable instructions 230 includeoperations that the sensor 106 can perform. In some implementations, anexecutable instruction 230 includes a first instruction 230-1 tocontinue operating the sensor 106. In some implementations, anexecutable instruction 230 includes a second instruction 230-2 to expandthe defined range 114 shown in FIG. 1, so that additional sensormeasurements 112 fall within the defined range 114. In someimplementations, an executable instruction 230 includes a thirdinstruction 230-3 to reboot the sensor 106. In some implementations, anexecutable instruction 230 include a fourth instruction 230-4 to shutdown the sensor 106. In various implementations, the data store 206includes one or more look-up tables (LUTs), databases, and/or indices(e.g., inverted indices).

In various implementations, the search module 240 receives the searchrequest 150, and provides the search results 250. In someimplementations, the search results 250 include one or more executableinstructions 230 from one of the records 208. In some implementations,the search module 240 retrieves the first feature vector 110 from thesearch request 150. If the search request 150 does not include the firstfeature vector 110, the search module 240 converts the first set ofsensor measurements 112 into the first feature vector 110. Generally,the search module 240 determines the first feature vector 110 based onthe search request 150 (e.g., based on the first set of sensormeasurements 112).

In various implementations, the search module 240 identifies a secondfeature vector 210 that indicates a second set of sensor measurements212 that are within a degree of similarity of the first set of sensormeasurements 112. In some implementations, the search module 240searches the data store 206 for a second feature vector 210 that issimilar to the first feature vector 110. In some implementations, thesearch module 240 identifies the second feature vector 210 by queryingthe data store 206 with the first feature vector 110 or the first set ofmeasurements 112. In response to querying the data store 206, the searchmodule 240 receives a record identifier (ID) that identifies aparticular record 208. The search module 240 retrieves the secondfeature vector 210 from the record 206 indicated by the record ID. Insome implementations, the search module 240 identifies the secondfeature vector 210 based on multifactor analysis. In someimplementations, the search module 240 identifies the second featurevector 210 based on a recursive autoencoder.

In various implementations, the search module 240 determines the searchresult 250 based on the second feature vector 210. For example, in someimplementations, the search module 240 retrieves the executableinstructions 230 from the record 208 corresponding with the secondfeature vector 210. In some implementations, the search module 240retrieves the metadata 220 from the record 208 corresponding with thesecond feature vector 210.

In some implementations, if the search module 240 identifies multiplefeature vectors 210 that are similar to the first feature vector 110,then the search module 240 selects the feature vector 210 that is mostsimilar to the first feature vector 110. In some implementations, thesearch module 240 selects a finite number of feature vectors 210 thatare similar to the first feature vector 110. For example, in someimplementations, the search module 240 selects one-to-three featurevectors 210 that are most similar to the first feature vector 110. Insome implementations, the search module 240 computes a relevance scorefor each feature vector 210 in the data store 206, and selects a finitenumber of feature vectors 210 based on the relevance score. For example,in some implementations, the search module 240 selects one-to-threefeature vectors 210 with the highest relevance score.

In various implementations, the feedback module 242 updates the datastore 206 based on the feedback data 246. In some implementations, thefeedback module 242 receives the feedback data 246 from the sensor(s)106 and/or the sensor gateway 120. In some implementations, the feedbackmodule 242 receives the feedback data 246 in response to sending afeedback request 244. Alternatively, in some implementations, thefeedback module 242 receives the feedback data 246 without explicitlysending the feedback request 244.

In some implementations, the feedback data 246 indicates whether thesensor 106 used any of the search results 250. In other words, in someimplementations, the feedback data 246 indicates whether the sensor 106executed any of the executable instructions 230 included in the searchresults 250. Put another way, in some implementations, the feedback data246 indicates whether the sensor 106 performed any actions suggested bythe search results 250. In some implementations, if the search results250 include multiple executable instructions 230, the feedback data 246indicates which of the executable instructions 230 were executed by thesensor 106.

In some implementations, the feedback data 246 indicates whetherexecuting the executable instructions 230 indicated by the searchresults 250 prevents the sensor 106 from capturing subsequent sensormeasurements 112 that are anomalous. In other words, in someimplementations, the feedback data 246 indicates whether performing theactions suggested by the search results 250 prevents the sensor 106 fromcapturing subsequent sensor measurements 112 that are outside thedefined range 114 shown in FIG. 1. In some implementations, the feedbackmodule 242 sends the feedback request 244 after a predetermined amountof time from the time at which the search module 240 sent the searchresults 250. For example, in some implementations, the feedback module242 sends the feedback request 244 twenty-four hours after the searchresults 250 were sent.

In various implementations, the feedback module 242 updates the datastore 206 based on the feedback data 246. For example, in someimplementations, each executable instruction 230 is associated with acounter that indicates the number of times that particular executableinstruction 230 has been executed. In this example, the feedback module242 increments the counter, if the feedback data 246 indicates that theparticular executable instruction 230 was executed by the sensor 106. Insome implementations, the search module 240 also includes the countervalue for each executable instruction 230 in the search results 250.Accordingly, in some implementations, the sensor 106 determines toexecute an executable instruction 230 based on the counter value. Forexample, in some implementations, a sensor 106 executes the executableinstruction 230 with the highest counter value.

In some implementations, the feedback module 242 modifies the executableinstructions 230 stored in a record 208 based on the feedback data 246.For example, in some implementations, the feedback module 242 removes aparticular executable instruction 230 from the record 208, if thefeedback data 246 repeatedly indicates that the particular executableinstruction 230 is not helpful in avoiding anomalous sensor measurements112. In some implementations, the feedback module 242 writes a newexecutable instruction 230 into the record 208, if the feedback data 246indicates that the new executable instruction 230 was helpful inavoiding anomalous sensor measurements 112.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representation of a method 300 of providing searchresults to a sensor and/or a sensor gateway (e.g., the sensors 106and/or the sensor gateway 120 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) according to someimplementations. In various implementations, the method 300 is performedby a search module (e.g., the search module 240 shown in FIG. 2)included in and/or associated with a search engine (e.g., the searchengine 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Briefly, the method 300 includesreceiving a search request that indicates a first set of measurements,determining a first feature vector based on the search request,identifying a second feature vector that indicates a second set ofmeasurements within a degree of similarity of the first set, determininga search result based on the second feature vector, and transmitting thesearch result.

To that end, as represented by block 310, in some implementations themethod 300 includes receiving a search request from a sensor or a sensorgateway. In some implementations, the search request indicates a firstset of measurements. The first set of measurements represent sensormeasurements captured by the sensor. In some implementations, the searchrequest includes a feature vector that includes the first set ofmeasurements as its features.

As represented by block 320, in various implementations, the method 300includes determining a first feature vector based on the search request.In some implementations, if the search request includes a featurevector, then determining the first feature vector includes retrievingthe first feature vector from the search request (as represented byblock 320 a). In some implementations, if the search request does notinclude a feature vector, then determining the first feature vectorincludes converting the first set of measurements into the first featurevector (as represented by block 320 b).

As represented by block 330, in various implementations, the method 300includes identifying a second feature vector that indicates a second setof measurements within a degree of similarity of the first set ofmeasurements. As represented by block 330 a, in some implementations,the method 300 includes searching a feature vector data store thatstores feature vector records corresponding with feature vectors. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in some implementations, the method300 includes searching the data store 206 that stores records 208corresponding with feature vectors 210. Those of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that there are numerous techniques for searching thedatabase, and thus an exhaustive description of the various methods isnot provided herein for the sake of brevity. As represented by block 330b, in some implementations, the method 300 includes identifying thesecond feature vector based on multifactor analysis or a recursiveautoencoder. In various implementations, the first set of measurementsand the second set of measurements are captured by different sensors. Insome implementations, the first set of measurements are captured by afirst sensor of a first type, and the second set of measurements arecaptured by a second sensor of a second type that is different from thefirst type.

As represented by block 340, in various implementations, the method 300includes determining one or more search results based on the secondfeature vector. In some implementations, a search result indicates oneor more executable instructions for the sensor in order to avoidcapturing sensor measurements outside a defined range. In other words,in some implementations, a search result suggests one or more actionsfor a sensor to perform in order to avoid capturing anomalous sensormeasurements. As represented by block 340 a, in some implementations,determining the search result includes retrieving data stored inassociation with the second feature vector. For example, in someimplementations, the method 300 includes retrieving the executableinstructions from a feature vector record (e.g., the record 208 shown inFIG. 2) corresponding with the second feature vector. Additionally oralternatively, in some implementations, the method 300 includesretrieving metadata (e.g., the metadata 220 shown in FIG. 2) from thefeature vector record, and including the metadata in the search result.For example, in some implementations, the method 300 includesincorporating the natural language string 222, the prior eventdescription 224, and/or the correlated event description 226 (shown inFIG. 2) in the search result.

As represented by block 350, in various implementations, the method 300includes transmitting the search result(s). In some implementations, themethod 300 includes instantiating a data container (e.g., a JSONobject), writing the search result(s) into the data container, andtransmitting the data container. In some implementations, the method 300includes transmitting the search result to the sensor gateway.Additionally or alternatively, the method 300 includes transmitting thesearch result to the sensor that captured the anomalous sensormeasurements.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representation of a method 400 of requestingsearch results from a search engine (e.g., the search engine 200 shownin FIGS. 1 and 2) according to some implementations. In variousimplementations, the method 400 is performed by a sensor and/or a sensorgateway (e.g., the sensor 106 and/or the sensor gateway 120 shown inFIG. 1). Briefly, the method 400 includes capturing a first set ofsensor measurements, determining whether the first set of sensormeasurements are within a defined range, generating a search request ifone of the sensor measurements is outside the defined range,transmitting the search request, receiving a search result thatindicates one or more executable instructions, and executing the one ormore executable instructions.

To that end, as represented by block 410, in some implementations themethod 400 includes capturing a sensor measurement (e.g., the sensormeasurement 112 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In some implementations, themethod 400 includes capturing the sensor measurement periodically (e.g.,every few seconds, hours, or days). For example, in someimplementations, an ambient temperature sensor (e.g., the ambienttemperature sensor 106-1 shown in FIG. 1) captures an ambienttemperature every 30 seconds. In some implementations, the method 400includes capturing the sensor measurement upon detecting an event, or acondition. For example, in some implementations, a door/window sensor(e.g., the door/window sensor 106-3 shown in FIG. 1) captures a sensormeasurement that indicates the open/close status of a door/window whenthe door/window is opened/closed.

As represented by block 420, in various implementations, the method 400includes determining whether the captured sensor measurement is within adefined range. In some implementations, sensor measurements that areoutside the defined range are considered anomalous, whereas sensormeasurements that are inside the defined range are considered normal.Hence, in some implementations, the method 400 includes determiningwhether one of the captured sensor measurements is anomalous. In someimplementations, if the captured sensor measurements are within thedefined range, then the method 400 proceeds to block 410. Alternatively,in some implementations, if one of the captured sensor measurements isoutside the defined range, then the method 400 proceeds to block 430.

As represented by block 430, in various implementations, the method 400includes generating a search request. The search request indicates thecaptured sensor measurements including the sensor measurement that isoutside the defined range. In other words, in some implementations, thesearch request includes a set of sensor measurements, and at least oneof the sensor measurements in the set is outside the defined range. Forexample, in some implementations, the search request indicates theanomalous sensor measurement, and a finite number of sensor measurementsthat the sensor captured before and/or after capturing the anomaloussensor measurement. In some implementations, generating the searchrequest includes instantiating a data container (e.g., a JSON object),and writing the sensor measurement to the data container. In someimplementations, the method 400 includes converting the captured sensormeasurement(s) into a feature vector, and including the feature vectorin the search request. In such implementations, the feature vectorincludes the captured sensor measurement(s) as its features.

As represented by block 440, in various implementations, the method 400includes transmitting the search request to a search engine (e.g., thesearch engine 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). As represented by block 450,in various implementations, the method 400 includes receiving one ormore search results from the search engine in response to transmittingthe search request. In some implementations, a search result indicatesone or more executable instructions for the sensor to execute in orderto avoid capturing anomalous sensor measurements. In other words, insome implementations, a search result indicates one or more actions forthe sensor to perform in order to avoid capturing anomalous sensormeasurements.

As represented by block 460, in various implementations, the method 400includes executing one or more of the executable instructions indicatedby the search result(s). Put another way, in some implementations, themethod 400 includes performing one or more actions suggested by thesearch result(s). In some implementations, the method 400 includescontinuously operating the sensor (e.g., executing the first instruction230-1 shown in FIG. 2). In some implementations, the method 400 includesexpanding the defined range (e.g., executing the second instruction230-2 shown in FIG. 2), so that the captured sensor measurement is notconsidered anomalous. In some implementations, the method 400 includesrebooting the sensor (e.g., executing the third instruction 230-3 shownin FIG. 2). In some implementations, the method 400 includes shuttingdown the sensor (e.g., executing the fourth instruction 230-4 shown inFIG. 2).

In some implementations, the search results suggest multiple actions forthe sensor to perform. In such implementations, the method 400 includesdetermining which action to perform. In some implementations, eachaction is associated with a counter that indicates the number of timesthat action has been performed by other sensors. In suchimplementations, the method 400 includes identifying the action that isassociated with the highest counter value, and performing that action.In some implementations, each action is associated with a percentagethat indicates the likelihood of that action preventing anomalous sensormeasurements. In such implementations, the method 400 includesidentifying the action that is associated with the highest percentage,and performing that action.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart representation of a method 500 of updating afeature vector data store (e.g., the data store 206 shown in FIG. 2)based on feedback data (e.g., the feedback data 246 shown in FIG. 2)according to some implementations. In various implementations, themethod 500 is performed by a feedback module (e.g., the feedback module242 shown in FIG. 2) included in and/or associated with a search engine(e.g., the search engine 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Briefly, themethod 500 includes receiving feedback data upon transmitting a searchresult that indicated one or more executable instructions, determiningwhether one of the executable instructions was executed, and updatingthe feature vector data store based on the determination.

To that end, as represented by block 510, in some implementations themethod 500 includes receiving feedback data from a sensor and/or asensor gateway (e.g., the sensor 106 and/or the sensor gateway 120 shownin FIGS. 1 and 2). In some implementations, the method 500 includessending a feedback request to the sensor and/or the sensor gateway, andreceiving the feedback data in response to sending the feedback request.Alternatively, in some implementations, the method 500 includesreceiving the feedback data without sending an explicit feedbackrequest. For example, in some implementations, sending the searchresults constitutes an implicit feedback request. In someimplementations, the method 500 includes receiving the feedback dataimmediately upon transmitting the search results. Alternatively, in someimplementations, the method 500 includes receiving the feedback dataafter a predetermined amount of time has passed from the time at whichthe search results were transmitted.

As represented by block 520, in various implementations, the method 500includes determining, based on the feedback data, whether one or more ofthe executable instructions indicated by the search results wereexecuted. In some implementations, the feedback data indicates which ofthe executable instructions were executed by the sensor and/or thesensor gateway. In other words, in some implementations, the feedbackdata indicates which of the actions suggested by the search results wereperformed by the sensor and/or the sensor gateway.

As represented by block 530, in various implementations, the method 500includes updating a feature vector data store (e.g., the data store 206shown in FIG. 2) based on the determination. In some implementations,the method 500 includes updating the feature vector data store, if thefeedback data indicates that the sensor and/or the sensor gatewayperformed at least one of the actions suggested by the search results.In some implementations, updating the feature vector data store includesincrementing a counter associated with the action that the sensor and/orthe sensor gateway performed. In some implementations, the counterassociated with an action indicates the number of times the action hasbeen performed. In some implementations, the search results also includea counter value associated with each suggested action. In suchimplementations, the sensor and/or the sensor gateway are able to selectan action based on the number of times the action has been performed byother sensors in the past.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart representation of a method 550 of updating afeature vector data store (e.g., the data store 206 shown in FIG. 2)based on feedback data (e.g., the feedback data 246 shown in FIG. 2)according to some implementations. In various implementations, themethod 550 is performed by a feedback module (e.g., the feedback module242 shown in FIG. 2) included in and/or associated with a search engine(e.g., the search engine 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Briefly, themethod 550 includes receiving feedback data that indicates that one ormore executable instructions suggested via the search results wereexecuted by a sensor and/or a sensor gateway, determining whetherexecuting the executable instructions prevents subsequent sensormeasurements from being outside a defined range, and updating a featurevector data store based on the determination.

To that end, as represented by block 560, in some implementations themethod 550 includes receiving feedback data that indicates that one ormore executable instructions suggested via search results were executedby a sensor and/or a sensor gateway. In other words, in someimplementations, the method 500 includes receiving feedback data thatindicates that an action suggested by a search result has been performedby a sensor and/or a sensor gateway. In some implementations, receivingthe feedback data includes sending a feedback request, and receiving thefeedback data in response to sending the feedback request. In someimplementations, the method 550 includes receiving feedback datawhenever an action suggested by the search results is performed by thesensor and/or the sensor gateway.

As represented by block 570, in some implementations, the method 550includes determining whether executing the executable instructionsindicated by the search results prevents subsequent sensor measurementsfrom being outside a defined range (e.g., the defined range 114 shown inFIG. 1). In other words, in some implementations, the method 550includes determining whether the sensor and/or the sensor gatewayavoided capturing anomalous sensor measurements after performing theaction suggested via the search result. In some implementations, thefeedback data indicates a time at which the sensor and/or the sensorgateway performed the action. In such implementations, if a differencebetween a current time and the time indicated by the feedback data isgreater than a threshold time period, and the sensor has not capturedany anomalous sensor measurements since performing the action, then themethod 550 includes determining that the action prevented subsequentanomalous sensor measurements. In other words, the method 550 includesdetermining that the performed action was effective at avoidingsubsequent anomalous sensor measurements, if no anomalous sensormeasurements are captured for a threshold time period after the actionwas performed.

As represented by block 580, in some implementations, the method 550includes updating a feature vector data store (e.g., the feature vectordata store 206 shown in FIG. 2) based on determining whether theexecuted instruction prevented subsequent anomalous sensor measurements.In some implementations, if the feedback data repeatedly indicates thata particular action does not help in preventing anomalous sensormeasurements, then the method 550 includes removing (e.g., purging) thataction from the feature vector record. In some implementations, if thefeedback data repeatedly indicates that a particular action helps inpreventing anomalous sensor measurements, then the method 550 includesranking that particular action higher than other actions that are not ashelpful in preventing anomalous sensor measurements. In someimplementations, if the feedback data indicates a new action thatprevents anomalous sensor measurements, then the method 550 includeswriting that new action into the appropriate feature vector recordstored in the feature vector data store.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a server system 600 enabled with variousmodules of a search engine according to some implementations. Whilecertain specific features are illustrated, those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate from the present disclosure that various otherfeatures have not been illustrated for the sake of brevity, and so asnot to obscure more pertinent aspects of the implementations disclosedherein. To that end, as a non-limiting example, in some implementationsthe server system 600 includes one or more processing units (CPUs) 601,a network interface 602, a programming interface 603, a memory 604 andone or more communication buses 605 for interconnecting these andvarious other components.

In some implementations, the memory 604 or the non-transitory computerreadable storage medium of the memory 604 stores the following programs,modules and data structures, or a subset thereof including an optionaloperating system 620, a search module 640, a feedback module 642, and afeature vector data store 606. In various implementations, the searchmodule 640, the feedback module 642 and the feature vector data store606 are similar to the search module 240, the feedback module 242 andthe feature vector data store 206, respectively shown in FIG. 2.

The operating system 620 includes procedures for handling various basicsystem services and for performing hardware dependent tasks.

In some implementations, the feature vector data store 606 storesfeature vector records 608 that correspond with respective featurevectors 610. In some implementations, the feature vector records 608 aresimilar to the feature vector records 208 shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, insome implementations, the feature vectors 610 are similar to the featurevectors 210 shown in FIG. 2. In various implementations, each featurevector 610 includes a set of sensor measurement as its features. In someimplementations, in addition to storing a feature vector 610, a featurevector record 608 also stores metadata (e.g., the metadata 220 shown inFIG. 2). In some implementations, the metadata includes a naturallanguage string (e.g., the natural language string 222 shown in FIG. 2),a prior event description (e.g., the prior event description 224 shownin FIG. 2), and/or a correlated event description (e.g., the correlatedevent description 226 shown in FIG. 2). In some implementations, eachfeature vector record 608 includes one or more executable instructions630 (e.g., the executable instructions 230 shown in FIG. 2). In someimplementations, the executable instructions 630 are actions that asensor and/or a sensor gateway can perform to avoid capturing anomaloussensor measurements.

In some implementations, the search module 640 is configured to providesearch results in response to receiving a search request. For example,as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the search module 640 provides thesearch results 250 in response to receiving the search request 150. Invarious implementations, the search module 640 generates the searchresults by identifying a feature vector record 608 that is relevant tothe search request, and retrieving the executable instructions 630stored in the identified feature vector record 608. In someimplementations, the search module 640 identifies the relevant featurevector record 608 by identifying a feature vector 610 that is within adegree of similarity to the feature vector included in the searchrequest. In some implementations, the search module 640 performs themethod 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. To that end, in variousimplementations, the search module 640 includes instructions and/orlogic 640 a, and heuristics and metadata 640 b.

In some implementations, the feedback module 642 is configured to updatethe feature vector data store 606 based on feedback data. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 2, the feedback module 642 updates the featurevector data store 206 based on the feedback data 246 received from thesensor 106 and/or the sensor gateway 120. In some implementations, thefeedback module 642 updates a counter associated with an executableinstruction 630 to indicate the number of times the executableinstruction 630 has previously been executed by a sensor and/or a sensorgateway. In some implementations, the feedback module 642 removes aparticular executable instruction 630 from the feature vector record608, if the feedback data repeatedly indicates that the particularexecutable instruction is not helpful in avoiding anomalous sensormeasurements. In some implementations, the feedback module 642 writes anew executable instruction 630 into the feature vector record 608, ifthe feedback data indicates that the new executable instruction 630 hasbeen helpful in avoiding anomalous sensor measurements. In someimplementations, the feedback module 642 performs the method 500illustrated in FIG. 5A, and/or the method 550 illustrated in FIG. 5B. Tothat end, in various implementations, the feedback module 642 includesinstructions and/or logic 642 a, and heuristics and metadata 642 b.

While various aspects of implementations within the scope of theappended claims are described above, it should be apparent that thevarious features of implementations described above may be embodied in awide variety of forms and that any specific structure and/or functiondescribed above is merely illustrative. Based on the present disclosureone skilled in the art should appreciate that an aspect described hereinmay be implemented independently of any other aspects and that two ormore of these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, anapparatus may be implemented and/or a method may be practiced using anynumber of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such an apparatusmay be implemented and/or such a method may be practiced using otherstructure and/or functionality in addition to or other than one or moreof the aspects set forth herein.

It will also be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact couldbe termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could betermed a first contact, which changing the meaning of the description,so long as all occurrences of the “first contact” are renamedconsistently and all occurrences of the second contact are renamedconsistently. The first contact and the second contact are bothcontacts, but they are not the same contact.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. Asused in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in accordance with a determination”or “in response to detecting,” that a stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it isdetermined [that a stated condition precedent is true]” or “if [a statedcondition precedent is true]” or “when [a stated condition precedent istrue]” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response todetermining” or “in accordance with a determination” or “upon detecting”or “in response to detecting” that the stated condition precedent istrue, depending on the context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a searchengine, a search request generated by a sensor gateway upon receiving afirst set of measurements captured by a first sensor, wherein the searchrequest comprises the first set of measurements captured by the firstsensor, and a first measurement from the first set of measurements isoutside a defined range; retrieving, by the search engine, a firstfeature vector from the search request generated by the sensor gateway;identifying, by the search engine, a second feature vector thatindicates a second set of measurements within a degree of similarity tothe first set of measurements, the second set of measurements beingcaptured by a second sensor; retrieving, by the search engine, one ormore instructions executable by the first sensor from a feature vectorrecord in which the second feature vector is stored; generating, by thesearch engine based on the second feature vector, a search result thatincludes the one or more instructions executable by the first sensor;and transmitting, by the search engine, the search result to the firstsensor via the sensor gateway to cause the first sensor to execute theone or more instructions, wherein the one or more instructions compriseshutting down the first sensor, rebooting the first sensor, or updatingthe defined range.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving thefirst feature vector comprises converting the first set of measurementsinto the first feature vector.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinidentifying the second feature vector comprises searching a featurevector data store that stores feature vector records corresponding withfeature vectors.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein identifying thesecond feature vector comprises identifying the second feature vectorbased on one or more of a multifactor analysis or a recursiveautoencoder.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein generating the searchresult comprises: identifying, from the feature vector data store, thefeature vector record that corresponds with the second feature vector.6. The method of claim 3, further comprising: receiving feedback dataindicating whether the first sensor executed the one or moreinstructions included in the search result; and updating the featurevector record corresponding with the second feature vector based onwhether the first sensor executed the one or more instructions.
 7. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: receiving feedback dataindicating that the one or more instructions, when executed by the firstsensor, prevent the first sensor from capturing additional measurementsthat are outside the defined range; and updating the feature vectorrecord corresponding with the second feature vector to indicate that theone or more instructions prevent the first sensor from obtainingadditional measurements that are outside the defined range.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: determining the defined range;and transmitting data indicative of the defined range to the sensorgateway.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second feature vector isassociated with a text string; and wherein determining the search resultcomprises including the text string in the search result.
 10. A systemcomprising: a network interface configured to receive a search requestgenerated by a sensor gateway, wherein the search request comprises afirst set of measurements captured by a first sensor and sent to thesensor gateway upon receiving a first set of measurements captured bythe first sensor, and a first measurement from the first set ofmeasurements is outside a defined range; and a search module configuredto: retrieve a first feature vector from the search request generated bythe sensor gateway; identify a second feature vector that indicates asecond set of measurements within a degree of similarity to the firstset of measurements, the second set of measurements being captured by asecond sensor; retrieve one or more instructions executable by the firstsensor from a feature vector record in which the second feature vectoris stored; generate, based on the second feature vector, a search resultthat includes the one or more instructions executable by the firstsensor; and transmit the search result to the first sensor via thesensor gateway to cause the first sensor to execute the one or moreinstructions, wherein the one or more instructions comprise shuttingdown the first sensor, rebooting the first sensor, or updating thedefined range, wherein the search module and network interface areimplemented on a search engine.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinretrieving the first feature vector comprises converting the first setof measurements into the first feature vector.
 12. The system of claim10, wherein identifying the second feature vector comprises searching afeature vector data store that stores feature vector recordscorresponding with feature vectors.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinidentifying the second feature vector comprises identifying the secondfeature vector based on one or more of a multifactor analysis or arecursive autoencoder.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein generatingthe search result comprises: identifying, from the feature vector datastore, the feature vector record that corresponds with the secondfeature vector.
 15. The system of claim 12, further comprising: afeedback module configured to: receive data indicating whether the firstsensor executed the one or more instructions included in the searchresult; and update the feature vector record corresponding with thesecond feature vector based on whether the first sensor executed the oneor more instructions.
 16. The system of claim 12, further comprising: afeedback module configured to: receive data indicating that the one ormore instructions, when executed by the first sensor, prevent the firstsensor from capturing additional measurements that are outside thedefined range; and update the feature vector record corresponding withthe second feature vector to indicate that the one or more instructionsprevent the first sensor from obtaining additional measurements that areoutside the defined range.
 17. A device comprising: a network interfaceconfigured to receive a search request generated by a sensor gateway,wherein the search request comprises a first set of measurementscaptured by a first sensor and sent to the sensor gateway upon receivinga first set of measurements captured by the first sensor, and a firstmeasurement from the first set of measurements is outside a definedrange; a processor configured to execute computer readable instructionsincluded on a non-transitory memory; and a non-transitory memoryincluding computer readable instructions, that when executed by theprocessor, cause the device to: retrieve a first feature vector from thesearch request generated by the sensor gateway; identify a secondfeature vector that indicates a second set of measurements within adegree of similarity to the first set of measurements, the second set ofmeasurements being captured by a second sensor; retrieve one or moreinstructions executable by the first sensor from a feature vector recordin which the second feature vector is stored; generate, based on thesecond feature vector, a search result that includes the one or moreinstructions executable by the first sensor; and transmit the searchresult to the first sensor via the sensor gateway to cause the firstsensor to execute the one or more instructions, wherein the one or moreinstructions comprise shutting down the first sensor, rebooting thefirst sensor, or updating the defined range, wherein the device is asearch engine.